Petunia plant named &#39;Danpethap&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new petunia ‘Danpethap’ is characterized by small flowers with pink and dark purple veins; a spreading and well-branched growth habit that measures about two feet in breadth at maturity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia, known by the cultivar name ‘Danpethap’.

[0002] The new cultivar ‘Danpethap was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor in a controlled breeding program in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in 1996. The female parent was proprietary Hybrid selection No. 157. The male parent of ‘Danpethap’ was proprietary Hybrid selection No. 672. ‘Danpethap’ was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by or under the supervision of the inventor, Gabriel Danziger on May 1996 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

[0003] The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Danpethap’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection on September 1996 in a controlled, environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel by a technician working under formulations established and supervised by the inventor. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated February 1997 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the ‘Danpethap’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

[0004] ‘Danpethap’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, however, without any variations in genotype. The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe the plants grown in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Danpethap’ which in combination distinguish this petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0006] 1. flower color—pink and dark purple veins;

[0007] 2. flower type—single, small;

[0008] 3. flowering time—early, all year round;

[0009] 4. growth habit—spreading, well-branched, vigorous;

[0010] 5. good weather tolerance;

[0011] 6. growing approximately 2 feet across when mature; and

[0012] 7. suitable for hanging baskets and for ground covering.

[0013] Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor(s), the most similar in comparison to ‘Danpethap’ is ‘Pink Spark’ (bred by Danziger). Reference is made to attached Chart A which compares certain characteristics of ‘Danpethap’ to those same characteristics of ‘Pink Spark’. In comparison to ‘Pink Spark’, ‘Danpethap’ has smaller flowers, many more flowers, and better weather tolerance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] The accompanying photographic drawings show typical flower and foliage characteristics of ‘Danpethap’, with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a side view of the plant. Sheet 2 is a top view of the plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0015] In the following description color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (RHS). The color values were determined between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m. in August, 2000 under full sunlight at Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

[0016] Origin: Mishmar Hashiva, Israel

[0017] Classification:

[0018]Botanical—A hybrid of petunia — species unknown.

[0019]Commercial—Petunia cultivar ‘Petunia Hybrida’.

[0020] Plant:

[0021]Growth Habit—Trailing, vigorous.

[0022]Plant Height—4-6 inches.

[0023]Spreading Area—30 inches.

[0024]Blooming period—All year round in moderate climate.

[0025] Stem:

[0026]Thickness—2 mm.

[0027]Color—Yellow-green RHS 144A.

[0028]Pubescence—Yes.

[0029]Branching—freely.

[0030]Length of internode—25-30 mm.

[0031] Leaf:

[0032]Arrangement on stem—Alternate.

[0033]Shape—Eliptic.

[0034] Size:

[0035]Length.—55 mm.

[0036]Width.—25 mm.

[0037]Thickness.—0.2 mm.

[0038]Color.—green RHS 137B.

[0039]Markings.—Veins in light green.

[0040]Pubescence.—Yes.

[0041] Flower:

[0042]Orientation at opening.—Upright.

[0043]Type.—Single.

[0044]Shape.—Regular rounded, corolla is united with 5 lobes and a long straight tube.

[0045]Diameter.—40 mm.

[0046] Color:

[0047]Upper.—purple, RHS 76B.

[0048]Bottom of inside surface of throat.—purple, RHS 77A.

[0049]Peduncle.—25 mm; yellow-green RHS 144A.

[0050] Reproductive organs:

[0051]Pistil.—1, green RHS 142B.

[0052]Stamens.—5.

[0053]Anther.—violet-blue RHS 95C.

[0054]Filament.—yellow-green RHS 149D.

[0055] Resistance:

[0056]It is a new cultivar highly resistant to.—Rain, heat, and drought as well as disease under regular growing conditions. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘Danpethap’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 